A sustainable future in education? A study of the experiences of four preservice teachers

Glass, C. (2008) A sustainable future in education? A study of the experiences of four preservice teachers. In: 23rd Western Australian Institute for Educational Research (WAIER) Forum, 9 August 2008, Edith Cowan University, Mount Lawley Campus

Abstract

Pre service teachers select teaching as their chosen career for a number of reasons. They bring to their education program a variety of experiences of education, and knowledge of what teachers do and what teaching is. The focus of this presentation is to outline the experiences of four Graduate Diploma of Education Primary students as they navigate their way through the year long program and to place this experience within the context of the larger cohort of students. The study aims to develop understandings about the process of becoming a teacher. More particularly why did these pre service teachers choose teaching as their career, and what understandings, knowledge of and about teaching and teachers do they have? What are their experiences of education, and how does this mediate the process of becoming a teacher and sustain them during difficult times? How can we prepare pre service teachers for a sustainable future in education?